The Age of Majority
The role of parents changes as their children with disabilities move from high school to adulthood. Parents who have spent years advocating for their child in school may find themselves playing a smaller part in their child’s future career or education. As their children become more independent, parents may have difficulty adjusting to this shift in responsibility. A role change starts to take place as the student nears age 18, commonly referred to as “The Age of Majority.”
It is important to understand what this role change means, and how to help guide your child through this process. As with many things, it’s very helpful to learn about and talk with your young adult about these at least a year before their 18th birthday.
This guide includes many useful resources about the Age of Majority, including information about guardianship and the transfer of parental rights.
Developed by:
National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center in collaboration with the Center for Parent Information and Resources,